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1. The Cuts Will Begin Immediately
Most who worked in the corporate offices of SJE Enterprises knew the Senior Manager of Finance, Sarah J. Kneeler as a cool, young, calm, and intelligent manager. Her clear, fair skin and happy manner gave the impression that she was much younger than her peers, a frequent false assumption. The diplomas and awards on the walls of her office had the dates visible and anybody could do the math and 'discover' that Sarah was at least forty. Watching her pace across the small stage before delivering her instructions was a shock, even to those who knew her as an analyst. She never had to deliver such sweeping bad news before; the old management had vice presidents and above carry the news. Under the new regime, each tier of the hierarchy delivered the news to the level below, en masse. 'I should have worn a different suit. Black is so authoritarian and this belt looks like a five buckle waist cincher. This news is bad enough, I shouldn’t be dressed so domineering,' Sarah thought as the last of her group entered. She motioned to the ones in the back to close the doors, took a deep breath, and approached the podium. The calming effect of the slow exhale was erased by the sharp report of her spike heels, which did not help calm her audience either.
"Group, we have some serious cuts coming and, as your manager and friend, am making every effort to alleviate the pain, especially to provide ‘top cover’ from the executives." She took another breath and a drink of water. For some reason, even her hair “hurt” pulled back tight into a bun. "Make no mistake, these initial cuts are only the beginning. We have the most efficient group in the corporation. However, corporate has made it clear than no group will go without cuts and that includes us. It begins with the administrative assistants. All of you assigned admins will counsel them today, their two-week layoff notices will be issued no later than next Friday. Review their evaluations and do whatever you can to help them find new homes. Managers, you only have a few days to learn what they were taking care of and all of those duties will be yours once they leave. Budget your time wisely!"
Sarah continued through the details. 'At least I do not have to lay off analysts . . . yet,' she thought with measured relief as she neared the end. Sarah never minded speaking in front of groups, especially her team. That day, stepping off the podium was the biggest relief of her life. She walked smartly down the center aisle and choked back the urge to cry as two smiling interns opened the double doors for her. 'Do they always schedule my group meetings on the opposite end of the floor from my office just to ogle me?' Sarah thought as she strode by the "cube farm." Even those who would rather look away could not help notice how her tailored black suit framed her broad shoulders and narrow waist. The 5” heel of her pumps only added to the effect.
Sarah gently closed her door, walked straight to her desk, and pulled a few tissues from the drawer just in time to catch the tears from the short cry she allowed herself. "At least I never wanted an assistant of my own. I don’t have a right arm to fire."
As she touched-up her light makeup, a message came across from the Director of Finance. Sarah was to make a home for one of the executive secretaries who needed to be retained. "Damn it! I don’t want a secretary! If I were an executive, maybe I would need one, but I sure as hell don’t need one as a senior manager!" Sarah grumbled to herself as she typed a polite response, respectfully declining the additional help.
The DF replied immediately and Sarah was stunned. "Of all the secretaries in the world, I get Clarke against my will? I would rather do without managers than have that disruptive fool in my office! How she has remained here is beyond me. She is the gruffest, loudest, rudest . . . “ Sarah's thoughts aloud were interrupted by a knock on her door. "Yes, come in."
"Misses Kneeler, I'm just stopping by to let you know I am ready to start whenever you like. When may I move into my new office?"
'The the executive secretaries not assigned to an executive were supposed to be laid off too. This must be the result of some senior management deal and everybody else knew about it before me, no discussion. Let Sarah take her, she never complains . . .' she thought, then replied to Nancy, "Whenever the move team says that your workstation is ready, Miss Clarke."
"Misses Kneeler, I go by Misses Clarke, never Miss and tech already has the workstation setup. The move team is ready whenever you say." Her smug tone turned to one of greater insolence as she noticed the single strand of antique pearls on Mrs. Kneeler’s neck. Nancy, a product working class Scotch-Irish stock from the "rust belt," was sensitive to shows of class differences.
Sarah tried to keep her groan at Nancy's insubordinate attitude to herself and then struck upon an idea. If she was stuck with Nancy, she needed to correct, or at least neutralize her disruptive manner and she needed a location advantage for the first discussion. "Nancy, how about having dinner tonight with my husband and I? If you do not have other plans, of course. Your spouse can join us," She hesitantly chose the neutral, not truly knowing if Misses Clarke was married to a man or a woman. "We would love to have you both."
"Such a gracious boss! Of course, Joe and I would love to be your guests. What time do you have in mind Misses Kneeler?"
"Oh, just take care of your move and come over any time. Here is the address. I will call Ed to have dinner ready by seven. I should be there by then. The boys can chat and watch the game after dinner while we share a drink or two and go over the particulars on how I like my office to run."
"Very well Misses Kneeler. I used to manage the move team. They can take care of things. I have a few errands to take care of, along with anything you need?"
"Nothing for me. See you tonight."
Before Nancy closed the door, she was yelling profanities at the move team, along with anybody else who happened by. Her grating voice only added to the irritation. Sarah always thought Nancy sounded like a frog with gravel in its throat and a bad smoking habit. This was the first time she experienced the full volume. She wrote a note to herself to bring up the profanity and manner after dinner. She also noted to herself not to mention spotting Nancy in the occasional kink or swinger’s clubs and thanked God Nancy had never spotted her in one.
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